By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A prominent Zimbabwean opposition figure and former minister who is contesting a constitutional change that would extend the mandate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been arrested, his party said.
Mnangagwa, whose party, the Zanu-PF has led the southern African country’s government since gaining independence 45 years ago had in February orchestrated a controversial constitutional reform that would extend his term by more two years.
Tendai Biti, a lawyer and former finance minister, was organising a rally in Mutare, a town on the border with Mozambique, when he was arrested on Saturday along with activists and journalists, according to his Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) party.
“I condemn the arrest and detention this afternoon in Mutare of my long-standing friend, fellow lawyer and former Cabinet Minister Tendai Biti,” David Coltart, major of Bulawayo, the country’s second largest city, posted on social media. “His crime? Speaking out against the Constitutional Amendment.”
A student leader was also taken from a lecture theatre at Chinhoyi University after speaking out against the reform during a meeting held there, the student union Zinasu alleged on Saturday.
Mnangagwa cannot stand for re-election after two terms in office.
Designed to extend the end of his term from 2028 to 2030, the proposed reform also calls for the president to be elected only by members of the parliament rather than by direct popular vote.
Given the majority of ZANU-PF lawmakers in parliament, there is little doubt that the amendments will be approved by a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
Opposition however insists that such changes require a referendum.
Aged 83, the “Crocodile”, as he is nicknamed, came to power in 2017 following a coup that enabled the army to oust Robert Mugabe, who had been president for 30 years.
Elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, Mnangagwa is accused by his critics of allowing corruption to flourish and of suppressing human rights.
Opponents campaigning against constitutional reform told AFP they had been subjected to beatings or intimidation.
